Nico Johnson, LB, Alabama Crimson Tide: 2013 NFL Draft Player Profile

Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad linebacker Nico Johnson of Alabama (35) against the Senior Bowl north squad during the first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 248 pounds

Position Rank:

Drafted By:

40 Yard Dash: DNP

Bench Press: DNP

Vertical Jump: DNP

Broad Jump: DNP

2012 Statistics

Scouting Report/Player Notes

NFL scouts are really excited to see how Nico Johnson performs in 2012 as the leader of the Crimson Tide defense. He has the ability to be an All-Conference performer and really an underrated piece of the Alabama defense over the last couple of years. He is known more for his ability to stop the run, and had 46 total tackles in 2011 as well as 6.5 tackles for loss. As he grows in his game, I want to see him take that leadership role to heart and really become a dominant force on the Alabama defense like the players who have come and gone before him. He has the potential to be a top inside linebacker prospect, and he has the athletic ability to be able to play in either defensive scheme. Does a good job of diagnosing the direction of the play and giving great effort. Not a tackling machine like some of the other inside linebackers of this class, but definitely offers something unique and could be a decent pickup on the third day.

2011 notes:

The high school Parade All American and top ranked recruit has certainly not disappointed for the Tide, though he really is expected to break out in 2011 as a junior (seems to be a theme with this talented squad). As a freshman, Johnson had 28 tackles and a sack, and as a sophomore had 33 tackles and an interception. Made the All-SEC Freshman team, and the Tide will be looking for big contributions from him in 2011. The question becomes whether or not Johnson will play inside in the NFL in a 4-3, outside in a 3-4, inside in a 3-4, or outside in a 4-3. He seems like the ideal WILL linebacker in either scheme, and has the frame to add a little more weight to come off the edge. There may not be enough tackles to go around in this supremely talented group of players, but Johnson is one of the better ones.

Career Highlights (via Alabama athletics site)

2012 (SENIOR): Third-year starter in the base 3-4 defensive scheme … has played in all 13 games, with five starts … third on the team with 54 tackles … has two tackles for loss (six yards), two forced fumbles, a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup … named defensive player of the week by the Alabama coaching staff following the Western Kentucky and Western Carolina games, and tabbed special teams player of the week after the Tennessee game. Michigan: Did not start the season opener versus the No. 8 Wolverines but made five tackles, with two solo stops. Western Kentucky: Made first start of the season and had season-best eight tackles (four solo) … forced a fumble for third time in his career … also broke up a pass, as Hilltoppers manageed only 46 rushing yards and 224 total … earned defensive player-of-the-week honors from Alabama coaching staff.Arkansas: Totaled six tackles, including three solo stops … assisted on a tackle for a loss and also credited with a quarterback hurry in the shutout victory.Florida Atlantic: Made one assisted tackle against the Owls … part of the starting unit allowed only 35 yards of offense in three quarters of action.Mississippi: Had four tackles (two solo) in win over the Rebels … helped limit Mississippi to 80 yards rushing and 218 total. Missouri: Started and made two tackles (one solo) as Alabama limited Tigers to three yards rushing (129 total).Tennessee: Play on special teams earned player-of-the-week honors … started at weakside “will” linebacker and made four tackles (two solo). Mississippi State:Made two assisted tackles coming off the bench against the Bulldogs. LSU:Racked up a career-high 12 tackles (two solo, also assisted on a tackle for loss).Texas A&M: Made two tackles with one solo stop against the Aggies. Western Carolina: Named an Alabama defensive player of the week following his four tackles (one for loss). Auburn: Started and made two solo tackles in Iron Bowl 49-0 shutout … also forced a fumble, his second of the year. Georgia: Came off the bench to make pair of tackles (one solo) in 32-28 victory to secure the Tide’s second SEC championship during his career.

2011 (JUNIOR): Nico Johnson was the Crimson Tide’s starting will linebacker in the base 3-4 defense … one of the nation’s better run-stopping linebackers … started seven games based on offensive formations … saw action in all 13 contests … finished fourth on the team with 47 tackles, including 25 solo stops, 6.5 tackles for loss (-18 yards), one sack (-5 yards), a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, an interception and three pass breakups… named the UA Defensive Player of the Week in three consecutive games, Mississippi, Tennessee and LSU.Kent State: Did not have a tackle, but played in running downs for the Tide. Penn State: Recorded one tackle and broke up a Nittany Lion pass. North Texas: Had two solo tackles in the Tide’s 41-0 shutout of the Mean Green … tallied on tackle for loss of minus-two yards as Alabama limited UNT to 68 yards rushing.Arkansas: Was not scheduled to see extended action vs. the Hogs due to their passing attack, but an injury to C.J. Mosley in the first quarter gave him an expanded opportunity to make plays … finished with one solo tackle in the Tide’s conference-opening win. Florida:Made his first start of the season at will linebacker … had four tckles with a fumble recovery in the Tide’s 38-10 win … helped limit the Gators to just 15 yards rushing. Vanderbilt: Started and recorded his second career interception and his first of the season … made three tackles with half of a tackle for loss. Mississippi: Made a career-best two tackles for loss (-9 yards) and recorded his second-career sack (15 yards) … helped limit the Rebels to 141 total yards and just 28 yards on the ground — mostly on quarterback scrambles … his seven tackles were a team high and the second-highest total of his career … garnered Defensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts vs. the Rebels. Tennessee: Earned UA Defensive Player of the Week honors after registering six tackles with three solo stops … forced a fumble in the second half and deflected a pass that was intercepted by Dont’a Hightower … helped limit UT to just 155 total yards and six points.LSU: Had a career-best 11 tackles, including three solo stops … helped limit the No. 1 Tigers to 239 yards and just nine points … the 11 tackles is the most by an Alabama player this season … named the UA Coaches’ Defensive Player of the Week for the third straight week.Mississippi State: Started at will linebacker but did not have a tackle. Georgia Southern: Recorded the second-most tackles on the team with six … broke up one of seven Eagles passes. Auburn: Did not start but recorded two solo tackles for loss of -3 yards … helped limit the Tigers to just 140 total yards … AU had just 44 yards — 25 rushing — through three quarters and gained the rest after the Tide had already locked up the win in the fourth quarter. LSU (BCS National Championship Game): Started and made four tackles as the Tide claimed its second national championship in the last three years … had two solo stops and helped limit LSU to 92 total yards and just 39 yards rushing.

2010 (SOPHOMORE): Johnson played in all 13 games and earned six starts at the middle linebacker position … finished with 33 tackles while adding 22 solo stops and an interception … made 3.5 tackles for loss (-7 yards) while recording one quarterback hurry and one pass breakup. San Jose State: Began the season with three tackles, including two solo stops against the Spartans. Penn State: Came off the bench but did not record any statistics. Duke: Was named one of the Defensive Players of the Week by the Alabama coaching staff … recorded six total tackles with four solo stops, including an assisted tackle for a loss. Arkansas: Equaled a career high with eight tackles, including five solo stops … also broke up a pass … helped hold the No. 10 Razorbacks to just 64 yards rushing. Florida: Recorded two tackles, including a solo stop … made his first career interception on a key play on the goal line, picking off a Trey Burton jump pass in the end zone. South Carolina: Johnson played but did not record any statistics as the Gamecocks employed multiple receivers that kept the Tide out of its regular 3-4 package. Tennessee: Earned a start and recorded two solo tackles. LSU: Recorded five tackles, including two solo stops … added a tackle for a loss of one yard. Mississippi State: Came off the bench to record one solo tackle. Georgia State:Tallied one solo tackle and a quarterback hurry. Auburn: Earned a start at the mike linebacker spot and registered a tackle for a loss of a yard. Michigan State: Was second on the team with four total tackles against the Spartans … registered three solo stops in the start … also had a tackle for loss of five yards, one of 11 for the Crimson Tide on the day.

2009 (FRESHMAN): He played in 12 games as a true freshman and made three starts at will linebacker against South Carolina, Tennessee and Chattanooga … a freshman All-SEC selection by the league coaches and Sporting News … finished 2009 with 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss (-18 yards) and one sack (-15 yards). FIU: Earned his first career playing time coming off the bench against the Panthers. North Texas: Tallied a career-high four tackles with three solo stops … one of the tackles was for a loss. Kentucky: Assisted on one tackle on special teams. Mississippi: Saw his most extensive playing time of the season as the Tide’s first option at will linebacker … made three tackles with two solo stops and forced a fumble. South Carolina: Started at will linebacker and tallied two tackles. Tennessee: Earned his second consecutive start … tallied a career-best eight tackles, including a half a tackle for a loss … recorded one pass breakup as the Tide surrendered just 74 rushing yards. LSU: Came off the bench to record two solo tackles, including his first career sack that went for a loss of 15 yards. Mississippi State: Came off the bench at linebacker and recorded one solo tackle. Chattanooga: Tallied four tackles, including three solo stops … recorded one tackle for a loss of one yard … helped the Tide hold the Mocs to just 84 total yards of total offense. Auburn: Recorded one pass breakup in limited action against the Tigers’ spread offense as Alabama deployed nickel and dime defenses most of the day. Florida: Made two solo stops, including one tackle for a loss of a yard … helped the Tide defense hold the Gators to just 88 yards rushing and a season-low 13 points. Texas: Contributed with one solo tackle in the Crimson Tide’s 37-21 win over the Longhorns in the Citi BCS National Title Game.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)